musik musik dunia: 2009

Sabtu, 10 Oktober 2009

The Hives

The Hives are a Swedish rock band that first garnered attention in the early 2000s as a prominent group of the garage rock revival, playing garage punk. Their mainstream success came with the release of the "greatest hits" album Your New Favourite Band, featuring their most well-known song "Hate to Say I Told You So". The Hives are known for performing in ever-changing black and white suits.

Background information
Origin Fagersta, Sweden
Genres Garage punk
Garage rock revival
Alternative rock
Years active 1993–present
Labels A&M/Octone
Interscope
Epitaph Records
Website www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com

History

[edit] Beginnings of the Hives

The band claims it was formed in 1993 (Although formed in 1989 under a different name, different sound, and without Randy Fitzsimmons) under the guidance of Randy Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons suggested that they form a garage rock band. Fitzsimmons allegedly acts as a songwriter and Svengali for the band. In 1995 they were signed by Pelle Almqvist to Sidekick records, a subsidiary of the Swedish skate punk record label Burning Heart Records. The following year they released their debut EP Oh Lord! When? How? Almqvist decided to promote the band to Burning Heart.

1997 saw the release of The Hives debut album Barely Legal (an early stage name of guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem), and they began touring. The following year they released their second EP A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T.

[edit] Veni Vidi Vicious and Your New Favourite Band

They released their second studio album Veni Vidi Vicious in April 2000 through Warner Music Group. The band themselves described the album as being like "a velvet glove with brass knuckles, both brutal and sophisticated at the same time". The album yielded the singles "Hate to Say I Told You So", "Main Offender", "Die, All Right!", and "Supply & Demand".

After seeing the video for "Hate to Say I Told You So" on German TV, Alan McGee (Oasis, Creation Records) decided to sign the band to his newly formed Poptones label. Poptones released the 'best of' compilation Your New Favourite Band in 2001, which proved to be their breakthrough record, reaching #7 in the UK album charts. Following the success of the album, the band re-released singles "Hate to Say I Told You So" and "Main Offender" which reach numbers #23 and #24 respectively in the UK Singles chart. The band also re-released Veni Vidi Vicious in the US.

It was during the promotion of Veni Vidi Vicious and Your New Favourite Band that The Hives signed a record deal with Universal Music, reportedly worth $50 million. This led to a dispute between The Hives and Burning Heart, who claimed that The Hives were still contracted to them for one more album.

[edit] Tyrannosaurus Hives

After extensive touring, the band retreated to Fagersta to record their third album. The result was 2004's Tyrannosaurus Hives, their first new material in four years. The album includes the hit singles "Walk Idiot Walk" (which debuted at #13 on the UK singles charts) "Two-Timing Touch And Broken Bones" (another top 50 hit), and "A Little More For Little You". The track 'B is for Brutus" was also featured in the driving game for Playstation 2, Gran Turismo 4.

[edit] The Black and White Album

The Hives' official website was overhauled in the second week of August 2007, with a grungier, "emergency broadcast" layout. The new site revealed the album's cover and the title of the first single, "Tick Tick Boom," with a release date of August 14 in the United States and October 8 in the United Kingdom. The release dates for the new record, The Black and White Album, were October 15 in the UK on Polydor and November 13 in the US on A&M/Octone in 2007. It was mostly recorded in Oxford, Mississippi, Miami, and in their native Sweden.

The Hives have also been featured in a Finish Line commercial performing Tick Tick Boom, as well as a Nike commercial featuring the song "Return The Favour". Tick Tick Boom was used in many different advertisements including: the 2007 season of the NFL Network, commercials for the CBS series Jericho, and the USA series Burn Notice, as well as the films Jumper (2008), and Get Smart, and was also the official theme song for WWE Survivor Series 2007.

On October 2, 2008, Nicholaus Arson added a diary entry on the band's official website writing "Right now we are at home resting our tired limbs and starting to gear up for the work ahead making a new record." This entry came after the band had finished their world tour supporting The Black and White Album.

[edit] Randy Fitzsimmons

All songwriting except covers on the band's albums are credited to "Randy Fitzsimmons." The band claims Fitzsimmons is an honorary "sixth Hive", who along with writing their music, discovered and manages the band. However it was revealed in NME that Randy Fitzsimmons is a registered pseudonym belonging to Nicholaus Arson.^[1] This has led many to believe that Randy Fitzsimmons is in fact a myth, and that it is Arson who writes the songs. Arson and the rest of the band deny this and insist on the existence of Randy Fitzsimmons as the band's songwriter. In the same NME article, Arson was quoted as saying that having "Randy Fitzsimmons" as a registered pseudonym was so that he could pick up the checks addressed to Randy, and deliver them to him - a privacy measure using a legal loophole. This argument has yet to be either proven or disproven. When you look at the back of their album Tyrannosaurus Hives, you can see all of them from the waist down in perspective of their cover. There is one extra pair of legs that is supposedly Mr. Fitzsimmons'.

[edit] Live performances

Pelle Almqvist in concert.

The Hives live show has been highly rated - Spin magazine rating them 8th best in rock music.^[2] In concert, vocalist Pelle Almqvist and his guitarist brother Nicholaus Arson handle showmanship while the other members attend to musical business. Pelle is known for his "colourful idiocy"^[3] - stage diving, scissor kicks, climbing amps, and eschewing false modesty with pronouncements such as "I've been busy being fantastic."^[4]

Pelle: "I'm out of control! Tell me to take it easy!"
Crowd: "Take it easy!"
Pelle: "No, I wooon't!" ^[5]

Pelle: "Bad music is the devil and I will be your exorcising priest, helpin' you out!"

and unlikely explanations for the need for the crowd to make more noise:

"I don't know if you know this but there are monsters in [name of the city they are performing in]. If the club goes silent then the monsters come and kill everybody!"

Pelle: "This is a stick-up! Put your hands up! Now, last song I told you to put your hands in the air...But I never said you could take them down. Now! OBEY ME! Put your hands in the air and make some noise!"

At the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, The Hives performed "Main Offender" in a "Battle of the Bands" type of set up, with The Vines playing their hit "Get Free" right after The Hives. Before The Vines began playing, Pelle Almqvist said to the crowd, "I know you want us to play more, but that's all the time we have so you can turn off now!"

The Hives played at Rock Werchter Festival 2008 in Belgium and played for an extra 15 minutes, refusing to leave the stage: "They're telling us we have to go now... Do I look like I give a fuck?"

The Hives performed at the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia, singing "Tick Tick Boom" during the players' presentation.

They have toured with other groups such as Maroon 5 and Eagles of Death Metal.

[edit] Collaborations

The Hives completed recording vocals and guitar in late November 2006 for a song called "Throw It On Me", a collaboration with hip-hop producer Timbaland. The song was included on his album, Timbaland Presents Shock Value, released April 3, 2007. They also performed in a music video for the track. The Hives also have recently spoken of a collaboration with Jack White's The Raconteurs on a song for their new album, originally entitled "Footsteps", however it was later revealed that Howlin Pelle had literally recorded footsteps. Howlin' Pelle also did a collaboration with Swedish rock artist Moneybrother, a cover of an Operation Ivy song "Freeze Up". They used Swedish lyrics and called it "Jag skriver inte på nått", which translates as "I Won't Sign Anything". In October 2008 it was revealed the band had recorded a Christmas duet entitled "A Christmas Duel" with Cyndi Lauper, which was available as a free download from their website on November 28, 2008.^[6] On November 27, 2008, The Hives official website had begun to play the Cyndi Lauper\The Hives duet automatically whenever it is visited.

In a November interview with leading Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, Swedish rapper Petter announced that The Hives were working on a new version of his track "Repa skivan" for his upcoming album.^[7]

[edit] Wardrobe

The Hives are noted for wearing matching suits or outfits, always in nothing but black and white, synchronized to spell their name in one position. However, their clothing has changed with each album. They wore suits with ascots for Veni Vidi Vicious, suits with colonel-styled laces and white spats for Tyrannosaurus Hives and bandanas and suspenders for their 2007 hurricane tours. For their newest album The Black and White Album, they have gone with something of a schoolboy look, with black blazers bearing an "H" crest on the left breast (as pictured on the right), and striped black and white ties. As of late September 2008 and near the end of their "Black and White Tour", The Hives have changed their wardrobe to white suits with a striped black tie.

[edit] The Hives on Cartoon Network

The Hives have been featured playing "Fall Is Just Something Grownups Invented" on Cartoon Network since fall 2007. There are several versions of the song shown: one, a shortened version, that is simply played between shows and features children dancing, another, full version, with lyrics and the same children dancing, and a final, featuring The Hives themselves performing.

[edit] Members

Howlin' Pelle Almqvist (Per Almqvist) – lead vocals
Nicholaus Arson (Niklas Almqvist) – guitar, keyboard
Vigilante Carlstroem (Mikael Karlsson) – guitar
Dr. Matt Destruction (Mattias Bernvall) – bass guitar
Chris Dangerous (Christian Grahn) – drums, percussion

[edit] Discography

Main article: The Hives discography

[edit] References

^ nme.com, The Hives : Tyrannosaurus Hives, Dec 9, 2004
^ absolutepunk.net The 25 Best Current Live Bands According to Spin
^ Guy's Music Review Site
^ calendarlive.com February 21, 2008, POP MUSIC REVIEW, Live: The Hives
^ rollingstone.com review of The Black And White Album
^ Christmas Cyndi Lauper duet. The Hives Broadcasting Service (31 October 2008). Retrieved on 1 November 2008.
^ http://www.pastan.nu/konsert/petter-svarar-1.58003

Minggu, 27 September 2009

Grand Funk

Grand Funk Railroad (also known as Grand Funk) is an American rock band. Highly popular during the 1970s, Grand Funk Railroad sold over 25 million records, toured constantly, packed arenas worldwide, and received four RIAA gold albums during 1970 -- the most for any American group that year. The current Grand Funk Railroad lineup uses the nickname "The American Band," a reference to its 1973 hit "We're an American Band." A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them. The band's name is a play on words of the "Grand Trunk Railroad," a railroad line that ran through the band's home town of Flint, Michigan.

Background information
Also known as Grand Funk
Origin Flint, Michigan, United States
Genres Rock, hard rock
Years active 1968–1977
1980–1983
1996–present
Labels Capitol, MCA, Full Moon
Website www.grandfunkrailroad.com

History

The band was formed in 1968 by Mark Farner (guitars, keyboards, lead vocals) and Don Brewer (drums, lead vocals) from Terry Knight and the Pack, and Mel Schacher (bass guitar) from Question Mark & the Mysterians. Terry Knight, a former band-mate of Farner and Brewer, soon became the band's manager. Knight named the band after the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, a well-known rail line in Michigan. First achieving recognition at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival, the band was signed by Capitol Records. After a raucous, well-received set on the first day of the festival, Grand Funk Railroad was asked back to play two additional days. Patterned after hard rock power trios such as Cream, Grand Funk Railroad, with Terry Knight's marketing savvy, developed its own popular style. In 1970, they sold more albums than any other American band and became a major concert attraction. In 1969, the band released its first album titled On Time, which eventually went gold in 1970. During the same year, a second album, Grand Funk (AKA the Red Album), was awarded gold status. The hit single "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)," from the album Closer to Home, was also released in 1970 and was considered stylistically representative of Terry Knight and the Pack's recordings. By 1971, Grand Funk broke The Beatles' Shea Stadium attendance record by selling out in just 72 hours.^[1]

Despite critical pans and a lack of airplay, the group's first six albums (five studio releases and one live album) were quite successful. In 1970, Knight launched an intensive advertising campaign to promote the album Closer To Home. Reportedly, Knight paid $100,000 for a huge billboard in New York City's Times Square. That album was certified multi-platinum despite a lack of critical approval. Following Closer To Home, Live Album was also released in 1970. Survival and E Pluribus Funk were both released in 1971. E Pluribus Funk celebrated the Shea Stadium show with a die-cut depiction of the stadium on the album cover's reverse.

By late 1971, the band was concerned with Knight's managerial style and fiscal responsibility. This growing dissatisfaction led Grand Funk Railroad to fire Knight in early 1972. Knight sued for breach of contract, which resulted in a protracted legal battle. At one point, Knight repossessed the band's gear before a gig at Madison Square Garden. In the MTV "Behind the Music's" Grand Funk Railroad episode, Knight stated that the original contract would have run out in about three months, and that the smart decision for the band would have been to just wait out the time.^[2]

In 1972, Grand Funk Railroad added Craig Frost on keyboards as a full-time member. Although Farner and Brewer had known Frost from the Terry Knight and the Pack days and Frost had both recorded and toured with Grand Funk as a sideman, he was not the band's first choice. Originally, Grand Funk attempted to attract Peter Frampton, late of Humble Pie; however, Frampton wasn't available due to signing a solo-record deal with A&M Records. The addition of Frost, however, brought a stylistic shift from Grand Funk's original garage-band based rock & roll roots to a more rhythm & blues/pop-rock-oriented style. This newer sound was not universally accepted by the band's original fan base. With the new lineup, Grand Funk released its sixth album of original music Phoenix in 1972.^[3]

To refine Grand Funk's sound, the band secured veteran musician Todd Rundgren as a producer. Two successful albums and two #1 hit singles resulted: the Don Brewer penned, "We're an American Band" (from We're An American Band) and "The Loco-Motion" (from Shinin' On, written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and originally recorded by Little Eva). The album We're an American Band topped out at #2 on the charts, while the "We're An American Band" single, released during summer 1973, was Grand Funk's first #1 hit. "The Loco-Motion" followed in 1974 as Grand Funk's second chart topping single.^[4]

In 1975, Grand Funk switched to Jimmy Ienner as producer and reverted to using their full name: "Grand Funk Railroad." The band released the album All the Girls in the World Beware!!!, which depicted the band member's heads superimposed on the bodies of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbu. This album spawned the top ten hits "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Bad Time."

Although highly successful in the mid 1970s, tensions mounted within the band due to personal issues, burn-out, and musical direction. Despite these issues, Grand Funk forged ahead. Needing two more albums to complete their record deal with Capitol, Grand Funk embarked on a major tour and decided to record a double live album, Caught in the Act. The double album should have fulfilled the contract with Capitol; however, because it contained previously released material, Capitol requested an additional album to complete Grand Funk's contractual obligation. While pressures between the band members still existed, the members agreed to move forward and complete one more album for Capitol to avoid legalities similar to the ones that they endured with Terry Knight in 1972. The band recorded Born to Die, and agreed not release any information regarding their impending breakup in 1976.^[5]

In 1976, the band reunited and joined forces with musician Frank Zappa, which renewed the band's spirits. Deciding to continue, Grand Funk signed with MCA Records. This reunion, however, was short-lived. Shortly after finishing Good Singin', Good Playin's (1976) overdub sessions, Grand Funk Railroad disbanded in 1977.^[6]

Mel Schacher and Bruce Kulick performing at Gulfstream Park in Hallendale, FL in January 2002

Following the breakup, Farner began a solo career and signed with Atlantic Records which resulted in two albums: Mark Farner and No Frills in 1977 and 1978 respectively. Brewer, Schacher, and Frost remained intact and formed the band Flint with the addition of Billy Ellworthy. Flint released one album on Columbia Records; a second record was finished, but was never released. Grand Funk Railroad reunited in 1980 without Frost and with Dennis Bellinger replacing Schacher on bass. Originally, Schacher had planned to rejoin the band; however, because of reservations regarding the current management, he bowed out at the last moment citing that he had developed a phobia concerning flying. The new line-up released two albums on Irving Azoff's Full Moon label, which was distributed by Warner Bros. Records. These releases included 1980's Grand Funk Lives and 1983's What's Funk?. Neither album achieved much critical acclaim; however, a single "Queen Bee," was included in the Heavy Metal (film) soundtrack album and movie. After disbanding a second time in 1983, Farner continued as a solo performer and became a Christian recording artist. Brewer and, former Grand Funk band-mate, Frost joined Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band.^[7]

In 1996, Grand Funk Railroad's three original members once again reunited and played to 250,000 people in 14 shows during a three month period. In 1997, the band played three sold-out Bosnian benefit concerts. These shows featured a full symphony orchestra that was conducted by Paul Shaffer (from the David Letterman Late Show). The band released a live two-disc benefit CD called Bosnia recorded in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This recording also featured Peter Frampton who joined the band on stage. In 1999, after three years of touring, Farner acrimoniously left the band and returned to his solo career. Although Farner had originally agreed to reunite for one year, he remained because of the original trio's comeback success. Old issues, however, re-emerged and these necessitated his exit from the band. Brewer and Schacher continued without Farner and sought new members as replacements.^[8]

In 2000, Brewer and Schacher recruited lead vocalist Max Carl (of 38 Special), former Kiss lead guitarist Bruce Kulick, and keyboardist Tim Cashion to continue as Grand Funk Railroad. The band has toured steadily since then. Mark Farner also tours with his band NRG, and continues to record under his own name.

Grand Funk also happens to be Homer Simpsons favorite band. He has alluded to the fact in the season seven episode "Homerpalooza" and in the season twelve episode "A Tale of Two Springfields".

[edit] Band members

[edit] Current members

Max Carl – lead vocals (2000–present)
Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals (1968–1977, 1980–1983, 1996–present)
Bruce Kulick – guitars (2000–present)
Timothy "Tim" Cashion – keyboards (2000–present)
Mel Schacher – bass guitar (1968–1977, 1980–1981, 1996–present)

with:

Craig Frost – keyboards (1972–1977, 2005–present)

[edit] Former members

Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals (1968–1977, 1980–1983, 1996–1999)
Dennis Bellinger – bass guitar (1980–1983)
Howard Eddy, Jr. – keyboards (1996–1999)

[edit] Lineups

(1968)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals
(1968–1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Craig Frost – keyboards Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Craig Frost – keyboards Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Craig Frost – keyboards
(1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Craig Frost – keyboards Terry Knight – bass guitar
(1972)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Craig Frost – keyboards
(1972–1977)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Craig Frost – keyboards Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1977–1980)	(Grand Funk Railroad disbanded)
(1980)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals
(1980–1981)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1981)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals
(1980–1983)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Dennis Bellinger – bass guitar
(1983)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals
(1983–1996)	(Grand Funk Railroad disbanded)
(1996)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals
(1996)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1996–1999)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Howard Eddy, Jr. – keyboards Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1999)	Mark Farner – guitars, lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(1999–2000)	Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(2000–2005)	Max Carl – lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Bruce Kulick – guitars Tim Cashion – keyboards Mel Schacher – bass guitar
(2005–present)	Max Carl – lead vocals Don Brewer – drums, lead vocals Bruce Kulick – guitars Tim Cashion – keyboards Mel Schacher – bass guitar with: Craig Frost – keyboards

[edit] Discography

For more details on this topic, see Grand Funk Railroad discography.

[edit] Notes

^ James (1999), pp. 15–16, 22, 37, 60.
^ James (1999), pp. 31, 36–37, 76.
^ James (1999), pp. 80, 83–84.
^ James (1999), pp. 90, 92–94, 104–106.
^ James (1999), pp. 113–116, 123–127.
^ James (1999), pp. 130–134.
^ James (1999), pp. 139–149.
^ James (1999), pp. 156, 163–164.

Warrant

Warrant is an American glam metal band from Hollywood, California that experienced success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with two multi-platinum albums. The band first came into the national spotlight with their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, and one of its singles, "Heaven," reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Warrant
Origin Hollywood, California, United States
Genres Hard rock
Glam metal
Years active 1984–present
Labels Columbia, CMC, Down Boys
Website Warrant Official Site

Musical style

Warrant's music has undergone significant evolution throughout the band's 20-year history. The style used during the 1980s and early 1990s, which is typical of many "Sunset strip" glam metal bands, remains the band's signature sound. During that period, the band was known for their heavy, melodic rock anthems and sentimental ballads.
[edit] Band history
[edit] Early years (1984–1987)

Warrant was formed in Los Angeles by guitarist Erik Turner in July 1984. Turner was soon joined by bassist Jerry Dixon. Warrant had a bassist named Chris Vincent before Dixon joined. Prior to his involvement with Warrant, Vincent played with a local band called SilverPants. The band's early members included vocalist Adam Shore, guitarist Josh Lewis, and drummer Max Asher. Vocalist Jani Lane (who replaced Shore) and drummer Steven "Sweet" Chamberlin (who replaced Asher) joined the band in September 1986, and guitarist Joey Allen (who replaced Lewis) completed the line-up in March 1987. Lane and Sweet were previously in the band Plain Jane, which had recorded several demos. The recruitment of Lane proved pivotal in the band's future, with the singer quickly assuming the role of song writer.

After gaining notoriety on the L.A. club scene, the band recorded a demo tape in September 1987 for Paisley Park Records, a record label owned by musician Prince. At this time, A&M records purchased an option to sign Warrant and invited the band to contribute a song for the soundtrack of the motion picture Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Both deals would prove unsuccessful, with the band's contribution "Game of War" being pulled from the soundtrack and A&M allowing its option to lapse.
[edit] Peak of popularity (1988–1992)

In January 1988 Warrant signed a contract with Columbia Records, and in April they began recording their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. It was a significant success, spawning 3 hits: the #2 power ballads "Heaven" and "Sometimes She Cries", and the rock anthem "Down Boys", which is now Warrant's alias. Image-wise, Warrant slotted right into the trend for big-haired, spandex-wearing hard rock bands, and their promo videos made much of their look. The song "Heaven" was not written by any of the members of Warrant and it is alleged that Jani Lane stole the song from another musician who had already been shopping the song to various labels. This mistake cost the band a fair amount of money when suit was brought against them.

Following the release of the album, Warrant toured with Paul Stanley, Queensrÿche, Cinderella, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come members Rick Steier and James Kottak would later join Warrant.

The band's second record, Cherry Pie, was released in September 1990, and featured guest appearances by Poison's C. C. DeVille, Danger Danger's Bruno Ravel and Steve West, and Fiona. The album, which spawned the hits "Cherry Pie" (Featured in Guitar Hero II) , "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (the famous acoustic intro was performed by Eric Oswald - Jani's brother) and "I Saw Red", reached the Top Ten in the United States, and went on to sell 3 million copies. The record's title track received strong exposure on MTV and became the band's most successful single.

The release of "Cherry Pie" was followed by a tour with the band Poison, which ended in January 1991 after a conflict between the two bands over stage room.

The band's European tour with David Lee Roth was cut short after Lane fractured several ribs in a stage dive in Birmingham, England. Warrant soon returned to touring, headlining shows in America on their 'Blood, Sweat And Beers' tour, supported by FireHouse and Trixter.
[edit] Trouble in the 90s (1992–1999)

The 1990s were characterized by frequent changes to the band's line-up. In 1992, Warrant released Dog Eat Dog. The record achieved only moderate commercial success, but still sold over 500,000 copies. While the record suffered poor sales performance in America, the band snared a European touring slot, playing a number of shows on the "Monsters Of Rock" festival, headlined by Iron Maiden.[1]

Later that year, vocalist Lane temporarily left the band, which was then dropped by Columbia, following the arrival of grunge and the death of Warrant's long-time manager Tom Hulet. In 1994, Lane returned to the band and a short U.S. club tour commenced. In May 1994, guitarist Allen left Warrant and was followed by drummer Sweet in the following month. In November 1994, Rick Steier replaced Allen on guitar and James Kottak replaced Sweet on drums. Shortly thereafter, a new record deal was signed with Tom Lipsky of CMC Records in September 1994. A Japanese deal was signed with Pony Canyon Records at the same time. Ultraphobic was released in March 1995 and was not successful.

Drummer Kottak left the band in March 1996 and was replaced by Bobby Borg, formerly of Beggars & Thieves, Left For Dead, and Opinion. The Best Of Warrant compilation was released in 1996 which was good timing and sold well. Warrant then released another studio album Belly to Belly in July 1996 in Japan and October 1996 in the United States. In October 1997, drummer Borg left the band, and was briefly replaced by touring drummer Vik Foxx, who was himself replaced in September 1998 by the band's touring keyboardist, Danny Wagner.

In 1999 Warrant released Greatest & Latest featuring re-done versions of some their classics and 3 new tracks.
[edit] Lane leaves (2000–2007)

The band was featured on the Rock Never Stops Tour in 1998 and 2003. Guitarist Steier and drummer Danny Wagner left the band in January 2000. Keri Kelli replaced Steier on guitars as a touring member and Mike Fasano replaced Wagner on drums. Keri Kelli and Mike Fasano had previously played together in Dad's Porno Mag. In August 2000, Kelli left Warrant to tour with Slash's Snakepit and was replaced by Billy Morris.

Warrant's next record was an album of cover versions, Under the Influence, released in May 2001. The band toured with Poison again in the summer of 2001, but the tour was cut short due to back injuries sustained by Poison bassist Bobby Dall. In April 2003, Warrant replaced drummer Fasano with Kevin Pharis.

Lane left Warrant again in January of 2004, taking Morris and Pharis with him. Lane was forced to cancel his first series of solo shows in Michigan after former band members took legal action to prevent the Warrant logo from being used on tour posters. Mike Fasano was briefly rehired, before Steven Sweet rejoined the band. Joey Allen also rejoined in February 2004. Lane was replaced with former Black N' Blue vocalist Jaime St. James.

Warrant released their 7th studio album entitled Born Again on February 4, 2006 with producer and engineer Pat Regan, who has previously worked with KISS, Deep Purple, Mr. Big and L.A. Guns. On July 14, 2007, Warrant performed at hard rock festival Rocklahoma.
[edit] Reunion (2008)

In January 2008, the band's agent, The William Morris Agency issued a new photograph of the band with Lane prominently featured, confirming his return to the band. This version of the band was scheduled to play at Rocklahoma 2008. In March 2008, Warrant announced on its official website that it would co-headline with Cinderella on a summer tour after Rocklahoma 2008. Ultimately, the tour was canceled after Cinderella singer Tom Keifer's left vocal cord hemorrhaged, making it impossible for him to sing in the immediate future. They had several shows outside of the Cinderella tour including 2 dates in Canada, Rocklahoma, and several in August.
[edit] Post-reunion (2008-present)

On September 5, 2008, Jani Lane left Warrant and Robert Mason (ex-Lynch Mob) took over vocals.

Blabbermouth.net then received the following statement from the band:[citation needed]
“ It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce that Jani Lane will no longer be performing with Warrant. From the beginning of our reunion talks to the last note of our last show together in Houston this past weekend (on August 31 at the Rock the Bayou festival), we have had nothing but good intentions of bringing a quality original Warrant show to our fans and friends. We wish Jani nothing but the best and remain friends. We are very excited that we have found an unbelievable voice in Robert Mason (Lynch Mob), an old friend of the band. We have three dates confirmed, come out and judge for yourself… We don't think you will be disappointed! ”

On September 10, Rita Wild's Rock Report confirmed that Jani Lane is out of Warrant, but offered no further details on replacements or the band's future. Mason eventually agreed to not only finish the tour but also to become a permanent member of the band.
[edit] Tours

* D.R.F.S.R. Tour
* Cherry Pie Tour
* Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour
* Dog Eat Dog Tour (Hair of the Dog Tour)
* 1994 Club Tour
* 1995 Radio or Not, Here We Come
* Rock Never Stops Tour 1998
* Rock Never Stops Tour 2003
* 2001 Summer Tour
* 2007 Tour
* 2008 Reunion Tour

[edit] Band members
For more details on this topic, see List of Warrant band members.
[edit] Current members

* Robert Mason – lead vocals (2008–present)
* Joey Allen – lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar, talk box, backing vocals (1987–1994, 2004–present)
* Erik Turner – rhythm & lead guitars, backing vocals (1984–present)
* Jerry Dixon – bass guitar, backing vocals (1984–present)
* Steven Sweet – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1986–1994, 2004–present)

[edit] Past members

* Jani Lane – lead vocals, acoustic guitar (1984–2004, 2008)
* Jaime St. James – lead vocals (2004–2007)
* Rick Steier – rhythm and lead guitars (1995–2000)
* James Kottak – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1995–1996)
* David White – keyboards, backing vocals (1995–1996)
* Bobby Borg – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1996–1998)
* Danny Wagner – keyboards, backing vocals (1997–1999), drums, percussion, backing vocals (1999–2000)
* Mike Fasano – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2000–2004)
* Billy Morris – rhythm and lead guitars, backing vocals (2000–2004)
* Mike Morris – keyboards (2000–2004)
* Max Asher - drums (1984–1994)

[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums

* Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989, Columbia) - #10, 2x Platinum
* Cherry Pie (1990, Columbia) - #7, 2x Platinum
* Dog Eat Dog (1992, Columbia) - #25, Gold
* Ultraphobic (1995, CMC) - (50,000+ US)
* Belly to Belly (1996, CMC) (30,000+ US)
* Greatest & Latest (1999, Deadline) (new versions of previous Warrant songs) (20,000+ copies in the US)
* Under the Influence (2001, Downboyrecords) (3,000+ US)
* Born Again (2006)

[edit] Live albums

* Warrant Live 86-97 (1997, CMC) - (20,000+ US)

[edit] Compilation albums

* The Best Of Warrant (1996, Columbia) (150,000 US)
* Rocking Tall (1996, Sony Music Special Products) (40,000 US)
* Then and Now (2004, Sanctuary)

[edit] Singles
Year Title U.S.
Hot 100 U.S.
Mainstream Rock Album
1989 "Down Boys" 27 13 Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich
1989 "Heaven" 2 3
1990 "Sometimes She Cries" 20 11
1990 "Big Talk" 93 30
1990 "Cherry Pie" 10 19 Cherry Pie
1991 "I Saw Red" 10 14
1991 "Uncle Tom's Cabin 78 -
1991 "Blind Faith" 88 39
1992 "We Will Rock You" 83 - Non-album single
1992 "Machine Gun" - 36 Dog Eat Dog
1992 "The Bitter Pill" - -
1995 "Family Picnic" - - Ultraphobic
1995 "Stronger Now" - -
1996 "AYM" - - Belly to Belly
1996 "Feels Good" - -
1996 "Indian Giver" - -
1999 "Southern Comfort" - - Greatest & Latest
1999 "Heaven 99" - -
2001 "Face" - - Under the Influence
2006 "Bourbon County Line" - - Born Again
[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,10492.sm

[edit] External links

* Warrant Official Site
* Warrant Official MySpace Site
* Classic Warrant Videos on Sony BMG MusicBox

Toto

Toto was an American rock band founded in 1977 by some of the most popular and experienced session musicians of the era. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the 1980s, beginning with the band's self-titled debut, released during 1978. Continuing with 1982's critically acclaimed and commercially successful Toto IV, Toto became one of the best selling music groups of their era. They are known for such hit singles as "Hold the Line", "Rosanna", "Africa", and "Stranger in Town". Although their popularity in the United States diminished in the 1990s and 2000s, they continued to tour and sold out arenas, clubs, and theaters internationally.

Toto was known for their technical skill in the studio, as well as a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard rock, R&B, and jazz. Although they were regularly associated with the soft rock genre, this broad array of musical styles helped them appeal to a variety of musicians and non-musician listeners.

The band released 17 albums and have sold over 30 million records to date. Their 18th album Falling In Between Live, was released in August 2007. It was recorded in March 2007 in Paris. As a result of guitarist Steve Lukather's departure from the band, which he agreed with the other members, Toto broke up after the last leg of their 2008 tour.

Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Rock, pop rock, hard rock
Years active 1977 – 2008
Labels Sony BMG, Columbia, Frontiers, Toto Recordings Inc.

Biography

[edit] Formation

1982 in London (Porcaro S, John Smith, Kimball, Lukather, Lenny Castro, Porcaro J)

Toto formed as a group of six studio musicians in 1977. Before the band formed, the members of Toto were regulars on albums by Steely Dan,^[1] Seals and Crofts,^[2] Boz Scaggs,^[3] Sonny and Cher,^[4] and many others, contributing to many of the most popular records of the 1970s. Keyboardist David Paich, son of famed musician and sessions player/arranger Marty Paich, rose to fame after having co-written Boz Scaggs' Silk Degrees album. Having played on many sessions with drummer Jeff Porcaro (the son of noted session percussionist Joe Porcaro whom he'd met while attending Grant High School in North Hollywood, California where they'd formed the band Rural Still Life), the two began to seriously discuss the possibility of forming their own band. They brought in bassist and fellow session vet David Hungate, having played with him on the road with Boz Scaggs. In addition, the duo asked guitarist Steve Lukather (who had also played in Scaggs' band as a replacement for Les Dudek) and Jeff Porcaro's brother Steve Porcaro (keyboards) to join the team. Luke and Steve Porcaro had also attended Grant High and had in fact continued the band Rural Still Life (the name shortened to Still Life) after Paich & Jeff had graduated. With the addition of former S.S. Fools singer Bobby Kimball, the group began to work on their first album in 1977 after signing with Columbia Records.

[edit] Band name and the debut album

Once all of the songs were written, the band came together in the studio to record the album. According to popular myth, in order to distinguish their own demo tapes from other bands' in the studio, Jeff Porcaro wrote the word "Toto" on them. Although one popular rumor is that the name came from Bobby Kimball's "true" last name, 'Toteaux,' this rumor was in fact only a joke popularized by former bassist David Hungate.^[5] After the completion of the first album, the band and record were still un-named. David Hungate, after viewing the name on the demo tapes, explained to the group that the word "Toto" in Latin translated to "all-encompassing". Because the band members had played on so many different records and many different musical genres, they adopted the name Toto as their own. The band's name may have elicited a few laughs when they first toured Japan, as TOTO is the name of Japan's largest toilet manufacturer^[6]; the name "Toto" is also well-known as the name of Dorothy's dog in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz books and the famous 1939 film.

After its release, Toto hit the charts quickly, earning popularity with the hit single "Hold The Line", as well as the charting "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy". The band garnered international acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Shortly thereafter, in early 1979, Toto embarked on their first American tour in support of the debut album.^[7] For the tour Toto brought along two additional musicians, Tom Kelly (guitar, backup vocals) and Lenny Castro (percussion), for a fuller sound. In fact, from the very first tour on, Toto would always carry additional players (See Tour Musicians below).

[edit] Hydra and Turn Back

Kimball and Lukather live in 2007

At the close of the tour, the band began work on their next album, entitled Hydra, which was released later that year. The album featured the single "99", inspired by George Lucas' cult film THX 1138,^[8] which became one of the band's most popular songs. Despite its popularity, however, in 2007, Steve Lukather admitted that he hates "99" and that it's his least favorite Toto song, which is why it was no longer performed live.^[9] Other songs from Hydra include "St George and the Dragon" and "All Us Boys". The band also released four promotional music videos for the album, including the title track, though the song was never released as a single. Although Hydra failed to achieve the commercial success of Toto's first release, it still went Gold. Following the album's release, the band began the "Hydra Tour" which featured both American and International dates. The tour lasted from February until June 1980.^[7]

In early 1981, Toto released their third album Turn Back. The album was experimental^[10] and featured much more guitar and less keyboards than their previous two records. Ultimately, Turn Back failed to earn the radio play or critical acclaim of either of the previous two records. The song "Goodbye Elenore" was the only official single released worldwide.^[11] Because the release was a commercial disappointment, the band did very little touring to promote the record.

[edit] Toto IV

Mike Porcaro live

1982 marked the beginning of Toto's most successful era. After the poor sales of Turn Back, the band were under a great deal of pressure from their record company to produce a new smash record. With Toto IV, the band delivered one of the most commercially successful records of the 80s. The album featured three singles that reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Rosanna"; "Africa"; and "I Won't Hold You Back". The album also made several worldwide charts, bringing the band to new audiences. "Africa" topped the charts in February 1983 and was a constant presence on radios across the globe, but it was "Rosanna" that earned the band multiple Grammy nominations. Toto IV was awarded 6 Grammy Awards, including "Record of the Year" for "Rosanna", "Album of the Year" for Toto IV, and "Producer of the Year". In the video for "Rosanna", a young Patrick Swayze can be seen as one of the dancers, and a young Cynthia Rhodes can be seen as the lead dancer. The song was named after Steve Porcaro's ex-girlfriend, actress Rosanna Arquette, but the song itself was not about her, according to writer David Paich.^[12] In addition to "Africa" and "Rosanna", Toto IV gained even more success with the release of another single, "Make Believe". Toto toured throughout 1982 in support of Toto IV,^[7] but near the end of the tour, Bobby Kimball broke his leg and was forced to perform seated behind a piano for the remaining shows.

[edit] Fergie Frederiksen and Isolation

Subsequent to the Toto IV release, bassist David Hungate left the band to spend more time with his family, having already relocated to Nashville by 1980 to pursue a sessions/production career there. Mike Porcaro replaced him on bass and appeared in all the music videos for Toto IV. Lead singer Bobby Kimball was fired in 1984 over personal problems between him and the band.^[13] At one point, Richard Page of the band Mr. Mister was offered the lead singer spot, but turned it down to continue with his band. Fergie Frederiksen (formerly of Trillion and Louisiana's LeRoux) was brought in as the new lead singer after he was introduced to Jeff Porcaro, and the band recorded Isolation, released in November 1984. Although Bobby Kimball sang some portion of the record before leaving, the exact amount is unknown. David Paich says it was a third of the record,^[14] Steve Lukather also says it was only 3 or 4 songs,^[15] but Kimball says it was most of the album.^[16]. However, some of Bobby Kimball's background vocals were left on the record. Although still a commercial success, Isolation did not achieve the acclaim of Toto IV and only went Gold. Furthermore, the album did not produce any major hit singles outside of "Stranger in Town". The "Isolation Tour" started in February 1985 and concluded three months later.^[7]

[edit] Fahrenheit and The Seventh One

David Paich during a live concert

At the close of the Isolation tour, Fergie Frederiksen was let go. Lukather claimed that the band was not meshing well with Fergie because he had a difficult time recording with them in the studio.^[17] The band had an audition for a new lead singer and Joseph Williams, son of famous film composer John Williams, was chosen in early 1986 from the individuals who auditioned.^[18]

With Joseph Williams now on board officially, Toto wrote and recorded Fahrenheit, released in October 1986, which had already been started with Frederiksen handling lead vocals. The track "Could This Be Love" features Fergie on background vocals.

Fahrenheit showed the band moving back in a more pop direction and featured the hits "I'll Be Over You" and "Without Your Love", which were both sung by Lukather (since the first album, Paich, Lukather, and sometimes even Steve Porcaro, would sing lead vocals on some songs in addition to whoever their front man was). There was also an instrumental piece, "Don't Stop Me Now", performed with jazz great Miles Davis. Furthermore, a then-unknown Paula Abdul appeared as a dancer in their "Till the End" music video. In addition, one of the studio-singers heard on the song "I'll Be Over You" is Michael McDonald. As well, Eagles founder and song writing giant Don Henley offered background vocals on the haunting Steve Porcaro penned track "Lea". Despite its accolades however, the album was not received well compared to previous releases and failed to go Gold initially.^[19] After its release, the band embarked on another world tour. Upon its conclusion in 1987, Steve Porcaro left the band to pursue a career in film and television scoring. The Fahrenheit album eventually went Gold on October 3, 1994. ^[20]

Steve Porcaro was never replaced, and Toto decided to continue with only five members. Although Porcaro occasionally assisted the band on synthesizers for their subsequent studio albums (and appeared on their 1988 tour), David Paich handled most of the live keyboard work (with keyboard tech John Jessel assisting on certain dates) post 1988. In 1988 Toto released their next album The Seventh One, featuring Jon Anderson of Yes on backup vocals on the single, "Stop Loving You." The record's other single, "Pamela" also became very popular and would be the band's last to hit the U.S. Top 40. The Seventh One became the band's most successful release since Toto IV, and according to David Paich, the record was supposed to be their comeback record, but personnel changes at the record company saw the album's promotion and advertising money pulled.^[21] The band toured from February until July 1988.^[7]

[edit] Past To Present and Jean-Michel Byron

Steve Lukather

Although "The Seventh One Tour" was very successful, after it was finished, the band decided to replace lead singer Joseph Williams. During the European leg of the tour, Joseph had lost his voice before many of the performances because of a combination of the flu, excessive partying and drug-use, prompting Toto to decide that a change needed to be made.^[13] Originally, the band wanted to reunite with original vocalist Bobby Kimball to record new songs for a greatest hits record, but the record company instead insisted they hire South African singer Jean-Michel Byron. Before Byron was brought in, the band recorded 'Goin Home'. This song was later featured on the Toto XX album as an 'unreleased song'. When Byron was brought in, he and Toto recorded 4 new songs which were included on their greatest hits album, Past to Present 1977-1990, released in 1990. Toto then embarked upon on the "Planet Earth Tour" that lasted from September until December of 1990.

Shortly into this tour, it became clear that Byron's decidedly non-rock image and bizarre on-stage antics would not mesh with Toto's vision for their live shows, and he was subsequently fired.^[22] Because many of the fans were so outraged at Byron's stage persona, most of his performance was removed from the subsequent live video release, "Toto Live" and Byron was listed only as a "background singer" in the album credits. All of the live performances of the new songs from Past to Present were removed from the recorded setlist, and the only songs on which Byron appears are "Rosanna" and "Hold The Line" and a few wide shots.^[23] The rest of the tracks were sung by Steve Lukather and David Paich.

[edit] Death of Jeff Porcaro

Once again without a lead vocalist, guitarist Steve Lukather stepped up to the microphone and became the new front man, and the band recorded Kingdom of Desire which was released on Columbia Records in most parts of the world and on Clive Davis' label Relativity Records in the United States. Tragedy then struck, however, just before the record's release when drummer Jeff Porcaro died. On August 5, 1992, Jeff suffered an allergic reaction from a pesticide he was using in his garden. Facing the prospect of a tour without Jeff, Toto almost broke up. However, Jeff Porcaro's family insisted the band continue on. Englishman Simon Phillips was the only drummer ever contacted to replace Jeff Porcaro, since the band knew that Porcaro liked Phillips, and because Lukather had worked with Simon on a previous tour with Santana and Jeff Beck in Japan in 1986. Phillips joined the band and they went on the tour which they dedicated to Jeff's memory. In 1993, they released a live album called Absolutely Live. From 1991 on, Steve Lukather would handle a majority of the vocals (until Bobby Kimball's return in 1998) but some older songs originally sung by Kimball, Fergie Frederiksen and Joseph Williams were put in the setlist and sung by the new backup singers: Fred White (who was replaced by John James in 1992), Jackie McGee (who'd joined for the 1990 tour and was replaced by Donna McDaniel in 1992) and Jenny Douglas-McRae (who'd also come aboard in 1990). John sang "Stop Loving You" and Bobby's part on "Rosanna". Donna sang "Home Of The Brave" and "Angel Don't Cry", and Jenny sang "Hold The Line".

At the close of the tour, the band performed the Tribute to Jeff Porcaro Concert in Los Angeles on December 14, 1992. It featured Toto as well as Don Henley, Eddie Van Halen, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Boz Scaggs, James Newton Howard, Michael McDonald, Richard Marx, and many more, and a special appearance by George Harrison. At the close of the tour, the band took a break to pursue individual projects as well as to keep up their session schedules.

[edit] Simon Phillips and Tambu

In 1995, Toto recorded Tambu, their first album with Simon Phillips, which saw the band back with CBS, now Sony. A departure from Toto's sound of the late 1970s and 1980s, Tambu was a very organic release and featured the single "I Will Remember" which received moderate radio play. Other singles released were "Drag Him To The Roof" and "The Turning Point". Tambu also featured John James and Jenny Douglas-McRae as session singers on some of the tracks. Jenny also sang lead on the album's bonus track "Blackeye" and also in a duet with Steve Lukather on "Baby He's Your Man". The album did not sell well in the United States (and in fact was not even released there until almost a year after it came out overseas) and the planned second single "Baby He's Your Man" ended up being cancelled.^[24] Unlike the domestic disappointment, however, Tambu sold 600,000 copies worldwide.

The "Tambu Tour" proved to be another success, although there were no North American dates. Simon Phillips suffered from a back problem so Gregg Bissonette had to fill in for him during the first leg of the tour in late 1995. The tour concluded in 1996. The rest of the tour personnel remained the same, with the exception of Donna McDaniel who left in 1994 shortly after the "Night of the Proms" performances (which Jenny had missed since she was out touring with Joe Cocker). The song "Hold The Line" was now sung as a duet between Jenny and John.^[25] Both Jenny and John were dropped from the band at the conclusion of the 1997 tour.

[edit] Bobby Kimball's return

1997 marked the band's 20th Anniversary, and in order to commemorate it, David Paich and Steve Lukather started to go through several old tapes and demos for a special record of unreleased songs. In 1998, they released Toto XX with the single "Goin Home." Toto went on a small promotional tour with former members Bobby Kimball, Steve Porcaro, and Joseph Williams.

After the "Toto XX Tour", Bobby Kimball rejoined the band as lead singer after 14 years. The band released Mindfields in early 1999 and embarked on the "Reunion Tour", touring worldwide and returning to the United States for the first time in 6 years. The new album featured 3 singles, "Melanie", "Cruel", and "Mad About You", a song co-written by David Paich and former Toto vocalist Joseph Williams. Later that year, a live album titled Livefields was released. The tour officially concluded in 2000 but the band played a few shows throughout 2001. David Paich briefly took a break from touring in 2000, so Jeff Babko filled in on keyboards.^[26] Paich then resumed touring with Toto in 2001.

[edit] Toto's 25th anniversary

In 2002, in celebration of Toto's 25th Anniversary, the band released Through the Looking Glass, a covers album that paid tribute to the band's musical influences, such as Bob Marley, Steely Dan, George Harrison and Elton John. Two singles were released, Could You Be Loved, a Bob Marley cover, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, a Beatles cover. The album was not a commercial success and many fans were upset about the release, thinking that the band should have written new material instead.^[27] However, the record gave the band material to promote their "25th Anniversary Tour", which started in 2002 and concluded in 2003. After the tour, Toto released a live album and DVD of the show titled Live in Amsterdam. Both the live album and the DVD were released in late 2003. Steve Lukather himself was critical of his performance at this concert.^[27]

[edit] Greg Phillinganes and David Paich's semi-retirement

Steve Lukather and Greg Phillinganes

Beginning in June 2003, near the end of their "25th Anniversary Tour", keyboardist David Paich took a leave of absence from touring to spend time with a sick family member. Steve Lukather, known also for his sense of humor, released a fake story that Paich was actually undertaking a sex-change operation and would become "Davida." The story was posted on the band's website, and was picked up by media all over the world. Although the fans thought it was funny, many people were offended, and Lukather apologized for his post and all references to the joke were removed from the website.^[28] Veteran keyboardist Greg Phillinganes filled in for Paich for the rest of the tour.

In late 2003, Toto headlined Night of the Proms for 2 months straight. David returned but was only able to play for a few weeks before he had to leave again, so Greg once again filled in for the remainder of the shows. In early 2004, the band embarked on a small world tour that went throughout all of 2004 as well as 2005. David Paich only occasionally appeared with Greg playing at a majority of the shows. In 2005, Greg was asked to permanently join the band, and David Paich then retired from touring altogether. Paich was still a member of Toto, however, as he continued to record and produce on all of Toto's releases.^[29]

[edit] Falling In Between and Falling In Between Live

In early 2006, Toto released Falling In Between on the Italian label Frontiers, their first album of new material since 1999. The release featured extensive keyboard work from Steve Porcaro and a duet with Joseph Williams on the first single, "Bottom of Your Soul". The album received very positive reviews from both critics and fans, some reviews even saying that it was the best Toto album since Toto IV.^[30] Following the record's release, Toto embarked on an extensive worldwide tour in 2006, which continued into 2007 for a second leg. The 2007 leg featured Leland Sklar filling in on bass for Mike Porcaro, due to an undisclosed illness. 2007 featured extensive dates in both Europe and the United States, including an appearance at Moondance Jam in Walker, Minnesota. Former lead singer Fergie Frederiksen made a guest appearance at the Minneapolis, USA date on May 5, 2007^[31] and Joseph Williams also made a few guest appearances with the band in June 2007.^[32]

Toto has recently released a 2-CD set Falling In Between Live on Eagle Records to commemorate the tour. This live set marks the fourth for the band, following 1993's "Absolutely Live", 1999's "Livefields", and 2003's "Live In Amsterdam".

For 2008, a companion DVD of the show was released, which was recorded in Paris in March 2007.

[edit] 2008: Toto no more

After a period of rumors and some allusions, on June 5, 2008, Steve Lukather made an official announcement on his website stevelukather.net, stating:

“

The fact is yes I have left Toto. There is no more Toto. I just can't do it anymore and at 50 years old I wanted to start over and give it one last try on my own.

”

Lukather further stated that after 31 years of recording, producing and playing with Toto without even missing one single gig, he couldn't do it anymore. With Lukather being the only original member left in the band (Bobby Kimball was also an original member, but was out of the band from 1984–1998) there was no other option than to call it quits. As the main motivation for his decision, Lukather said:

“

When Dave retired that was REAL hard for me 'cause we started the band together. Hell, it's 35 years if you count High School where the core all met. When Mike fell ill and had to leave that was it for me. If there isn't Paich or at least one Porcaro how can we even call it Toto? ... Honestly, I have just had enough. This is NOT a break. It is over. I really can't go out and play Hold The Line with a straight face anymore.

”

He added later

“

Hey guys,

Well It seems I started a fire storm. That was never my intent. It was really to explain myself. My comment about Hold the Line was a bit harsh and it reads more serious than I meant it. I[t] was a tongue in cheek statement. ALL those songs have been VERY VERY good to me and the guys. I am sorry if I sounded like an asshole. I would like to retract that statement. I am a bit BURNT on it but they have become somewhat classic so who am I to say such stupid things. I am sorry. YOU guys have made Toto and also been there for me as well. I hope that doesnt change.

I also have nothing but the deepest respect for all the guys. I did not want to make it seem otherwise. This was a personal decision that I needed to make and they all knew it before the last tour anyway.

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes and understanding. This is NOT a hateful move at all. It has been a long time coming for me and those around me. Paich and the Porcaro's knew and totally understood and I asked them before I posted. I was just getting alot [sic] of e mail about all of it due to my comments so I wanted to post my feelings. You might get other opinions from other people but speculation on WHY I left is ridiculous unless you know me or someone in the band and even then one mans truth is not another mans truth alot [sic] of the time. Sometimes one just has to move on.

I hope to see some of you at one of my shows and hope we can still be friends. I know some of you may be upset with me. I guess I cant help that Anyone who REALLY knows me knows where I am at. I am sorry if I have upset anyone. The music will live on. I am very proud of what we have done over ALL the years and I am sorry if I made it sound like I wasnt. Have a great day, Luke." .

”

^[33]

The break-up of Toto after 31 years received mixed reactions from the fans. On April 5, 2008, Toto played what would be their last show ever, in Seoul, Korea, as a part of their Falling In Between Live tour. This left many fans without a real farewell tour, which was something that the band had said they would do. In their 31 years of existence, Toto sold over 30 million records, scored a worldwide number 1 hit with the song "Africa" and other hits that topped various charts. Toto did over ten world tours which consistently sold out everywhere but in the US. The band and its individual members worked with and wrote for artists such as Michael Jackson, Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Larry Carlton, Chicago, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton-John and hundreds more.